Cork Bits: ideas for your Napa Valley weekend

Yet another weekend is nearly here (hurry!). As is typical this time of year, there are no shortage of happenings in the Napa Valley.

Here are a few that should be well worth the time (and money).

Saturday, August 8th

Between 10:30am – 5pm Flora Springs Winery will celebrate the one year birthday of its St. Helena tasting room (located at 677 S. St. Helena Highway). While regular tasting fees apply, the winery will have cupcakes and wine specials all day long. Call 707-967-8032 for more information

Franciscan Winery in St. Helena invites you to ‘Chill’ between 5pm – 7pm. For $30 per person ($15 per wine club member), you’ll be able to sit back, relax and enjoy Franciscan limited release wines while indulging in sliders prepared by the winery’s in-house chef. RSVP by calling 707-967-3993

Sunday, August 9th

UPDATE: We’re told this event is completely sold out! As previously mentioned, between 11am – 2pm you’re invited to Yountville for some Zin n’ Ribs courtesy of Chef Michael Chiarello (@ChefChiarello on Twitter) and fellow Top Chef Masters participants Cindy Pawlcyn, Hubert Keller and Elizabeth Faulkner. For $30 per adult ($35 at the door) you’ll be able to enjoy Bottega’s Tuscan BBQ Ribs paired with Chiarello’s Giana Zinfandel. At 1pm, Chiarello and Keller will do a cooking demonstration and there will be lawn games for the kids. Full details can be found here

From 12pm – 3pm Peju Province Winery in Rutherford will host a pre-release party for its ’06 Cabernet Franc Reserve. Only 1,000 cases of this wine have been produced and you’re invited to be among the first to taste it along with the winery chef’s food pairings. Cost is $30 per person ($20 per wine club member) and you’re encouraged to call 800-446-7358 to make a reservation